When the news of Hector's attack first reached them, there was a reason why the Cairo royal family could not respond quickly.
The young king, Daniel Cairo, gazed at the empty conference room with a look of despair.
"When will everyone arrive?"
"…I apologize. It seems that the sudden news has caused everyone to take longer to come from afar," a servant bowed his head.
But that was all.
He did not say he would contact them again.
Although he did not have a specific master to serve, he understood that speaking carelessly in the central government could cost him his life.
Daniel Cairo's power could not protect the servant's life.
If the royal authority had been strong, such a situation would not have arisen in the first place.
"Sigh."
Daniel Cairo let out a deep breath.
The shocking news that the southern front was under attack.
Even if they responded quickly, the nobles of the central government advised to hold off on making any judgments until everyone gathered.
This meant that the king had no authority to make decisions.
Only with the consent of powerful figures like Marquis Benedict, Count Denver, and Count Gregory could the nation's troops be mobilized.
Time passed.
During that time, the ranger unit of the Hector Kingdom had infiltrated the rear positions past the southern training grounds and successfully occupied the warp gate.
Yet, the Cairo royal family remained completely unaware of the reality.
Daniel Cairo was merely waiting for the powerful figures of the central government, who eventually showed up late.
"Hahaha, I am a bit late. My carriage had some trouble on the way, so I couldn't help but be delayed. But is it true that the Hector Kingdom has attacked the southern front?" Marquis Benedict showed no sign of regret for his tardiness.
The other nobles were no different.
Count Denver and Count Gregory, seated at the table, ignored the time Daniel Cairo had waited alone and spoke.
"According to the message from the southern front, the Hector Kingdom has unexpectedly crossed the border and attacked the defensive positions. We do not know what justification they have, but at this rate, the southern front is in danger."
"Then we must send troops immediately, right?" Finally, the suggestion to send support was mentioned.
Daniel Cairo felt a surge of anger.
If the nobles had attended the meeting quickly, at least he would have had the authority to give orders, and they could have sent support to the south an hour ago.
But what could he do? This was the reality of Cairo.
"Then I will send troops to the southern front right now."
"Understood."
"I will obey your command."
The decision was made.
In the end, it was the way of the small nation of Cairo to determine the affairs of the country at the conclusion of the central government's meeting.
However, by then, it was already too late.
The warp gate of the southern front had been occupied.
Only then did Marquis Benedict realize the seriousness of the situation.
"…The warp gate has been occupied. This is a very serious problem. Not only has the means to quickly send troops to the southern front disappeared, but there is also no way for the southern front to withstand the attack from the Hector Kingdom."
This attack would not put Cairo in danger.
The southern front was a somewhat barren area.
Geographically, it was not of great importance to the Cairo Kingdom, and they were confident they could suppress the Hector troops attacking from the south.
The problem arose if the enemies were able to hold out in the south.
If the situation developed that way, the occupation of the warp gate would become a significant headache.
Ultimately, the fragmented command structure worsened the problem.
If they had responded a little faster, the Cairo Kingdom would not have lost the southern front so easily.
Daniel Cairo said, "How do you plan to handle this outcome? When the crisis of the southern front was reported, if you had at least allowed me to make a decision as king, the southern front would not be in danger. Everyone, reflect on this. This incident is entirely your responsibility!"
The weak king could not overlook this matter.
Even as he blushed with anger, the other nobles showed no signs of being greatly disturbed.
At that moment, Edwin Hector contacted the Cairo royal family.
As the magical communication connected, Marquis Benedict questioned on behalf of Daniel Cairo.
"What justification does Hector have for attacking Cairo? We believed that Cairo and Hector had maintained a friendly relationship. In fact, there had been no threats crossing each other's borders, and recently, we even provided food support knowing Hector's difficult situation. What on earth is going on?"
His voice was aggressive.
Within the screen, Edwin Hector remained unfazed in the face of Cairo's anger. [How brazen of you.
It is not us who have crossed the line, but Cairo.]
He had practiced this situation countless times in his mind.
It was clear how the Cairo Kingdom would react, and thus Edwin Hector provided a perfect response. [About half a year ago, there was an incident where soldiers from the Cairo Kingdom crossed the border.
They claimed they got lost, but in reality, a map detailing the geography and key locations of Hector was found in their bags.
We attempted to capture and subdue them, but they fled, thinking their intentions had been discovered, and fell to their deaths from a cliff.
Since then, we could not help but suspect the intentions of the Cairo Kingdom.
Why would they explore Hector's borders if not for some ulterior motive?]
This was far from the truth.
The soldiers of Cairo had been found having fallen from the cliff.
It seemed like a simple accident, but Edwin Hector used it as a basis for justifying war.
In fact, the justification itself was flimsy.
But it did not matter.
After all, war is a battle where the logic of the victor prevails.
Even if problems arose later, what was important for the Hector Kingdom was to resolve the immediate issue.
"That is nonsense!"
"Do not slander Cairo! We have done no such thing!" The backlash was fierce.
Nevertheless, Edwin Hector did not blink. [What is important is that distrust has arisen between Cairo and Hector, and we attacked the southern front to hold you accountable for that sin.
You are aware that the warp gate is now in our hands.
The Hector Kingdom has taken control of the southern front.
From now on, our demands are clear.
Apologize for that day's incident and provide appropriate compensation.
If you comply with our demands faithfully, we will withdraw our troops, considering our past relationship.]
This was the true purpose of Hector.
Continuous poor harvests had drained the national treasury, and the interest on loans from the Golden Bank was overdue.
Borrowing money from elsewhere would only exacerbate the problem, so Edwin Hector devised a drastic measure.
War.
It was not unreasonable to demand money as compensation.
The southern front was barren but necessary land for Cairo, and he sought to resolve Hector's issues using it as collateral.
"What a bandit-like demand!"
"Do you really think that is a reasonable request?" The nobles of Cairo protested.
But that was all.
Edwin Hector had no intention of backing down.
If it were a matter that could be compromised, they would not have attacked the southern front in the first place.
Looking at the suffering people, he vowed to solve the problem, even if it meant becoming a devil. [I will give you exactly three days.
Think carefully and make your decision.
If you do not comply with our demands, we will prepare to annex the southern front into Hector's territory.
Remember, if you attempt to stall for time with some pathetic compromise, the hostages from the southern front will not return alive.]
With those words, Edwin Hector abruptly cut off the magical communication.
After the intense magical communication ended, silence fell over the conference room.
In the face of Edwin Hector's unilateral notification, even the previously confident Marquis Benedict could only fall silent.
Ultimately, Daniel Cairo spoke with a devastated expression.
"Now that the warp gate is in the enemy's hands, we have no other options. Even if we send troops to the nearest area, it will take at least two weeks to reach the southern front. The Hector Kingdom will have completed all preparations for defense by then, and a prolonged war will drag Cairo down into despair, regardless of victory or defeat. The only way to minimize our losses is to pay the compensation that Hector is openly demanding."
"They will surely demand a hefty sum."
"Is there no other way? If you do not like this method, then please suggest another plan!" Everyone fell silent.
It was truly laughable.
The nobles of the central government, who acted as if they were great figures in this small country, could do nothing when a real crisis struck.
The reality was that they were squabbling over trivial powers.
At least Marquis Benedict showed some willingness to solve the problem, but Counts Denver and Gregory were different.
They acted as if Cairo's fate had little to do with them.
It was always like this.
They treated Daniel Cairo as a puppet in normal times, but when trouble arose, they pushed the king forward.
"…I will accept Hector's conditions."
"I oppose that."
At that moment, a figure who had been silent until now stepped forward.
Count Denver.
"Do you have another plan?"
"The reason the Hector Kingdom is demanding money is clear. They intend to resolve the difficulties facing their country through war, and the amount will not be insignificant enough to shake Cairo's foundation. This matter does not end with merely reclaiming the southern front. We must also consider the situation afterward. If the national treasury is depleted and the Chronos Empire crosses the border, we may suffer even greater losses in exchange for regaining the southern front."
"…But is there really no other way?"
"There is."
In that moment, all eyes were focused on him.
The leader of Valhalla, Count Denver, possessed special information that the other nobles gathered here did not have. 'They think there is nothing that can turn the situation around on the southern front right now.' But there was one way.
Count Denver said, "Roman Dmitri is on the southern front. According to the latest report, Roman Dmitri has successfully defended the fifth defensive line and expressed his intention to rally troops against the Hector Kingdom."
They do not know.
The true strength of Roman Dmitri.
With his talent having reached the fourth star and his ability to topple Barco, he would not simply succumb.
Therefore, "We must trust him. We should send troops to the southern front immediately, and if Roman Dmitri can create a crack from within, we will have a sufficient chance of victory."
Count Denver placed his bet on that one variable, Roman.